Hard Bop Saxophone Quartet

Hard Bop designates an era in the history of jazz that took the traditions of Bebop, mixed them with th unique compositional elements of the Cool School and added generous portions of soul. Hard Bop was to jazz what Wagner was to classical--tradition stretched to the limits. The Hard Bop Quartet has a repertory of music that spans jazz style from Bebop to Fusion taking each element, tastefully, to the extreme whether it be technical facility or shear emotion. All of their charts come from within the group thus adding compositional originality to the improvisational creativity which is the essence of jazz. Some of their repertory includes works for wind ensemble and saxophone quartet such as "With Friends Like These..." and its counterpart "...Who Needs Enemies" thus far performed with the Moorhead High School Concordia College, and Lake Agasiz concert bands.

They have completed a CD recording released by Sea-Breeze Jazz with selected compositions and arrangements available from Walrus Music and Hard-Bop Publications. Some of their recent activity includes performances and clinics at the 1998 Minnesota Music Educators Association Convention in Minneapolis, the 1998 Biennial Conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance at Northwestern University, and the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors 1999 National Symposium at Ball State.